Volunteers stage event for benefit of muscular dystrophy patient

A 9-year-old boy with a muscle disease realized his dream of being a policeman in a kidnapping case simulated by police and residents.

Zou Junyi, diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in Xinyu, Jiangxi province, received an award for being a "courageous policeman" from Mayor Cong Wenjing on Saturday.

The award was presented after Junyi, wearing a tailored police uniform, helped subdue two "kidnappers" and save three "hostages" played by volunteers.

Arrangements were made for Junyi, who uses a wheelchair, to direct traffic, watch police drills, and to visit the command center, where he was surprised to receive a call about the "kidnapping" case.

He and special police were sent to deal with the incident at the scene.

Policewoman Liu Jinfeng, 23, pushed Zou in his wheelchair toward the "kidnappers" on the pretext of delivering bottled water.

Liu was able to kick away a dagger held by one of the "kidnappers" and catch him. The other "criminal" was also caught later by police.

Inspired by Internet users, the project was initiated by the publicity department of the Xinyu City Committee of the Communist Party of China and the city's public security bureau.

More than 200 people signed up before the simulation, offering to play kidnappers and hostages for the boy. Five of them were selected.

Policeman Liu Yi, who played one of the "kidnappers", said he and his colleague Liu Jinfeng had practiced seizing the "kidnappers" many times during the past week.

Police told residents and vendors at the scene that the event was being staged and not to panic.

Huang Wenhui, head of the public security bureau, said it mobilized nearly all police staff members to help with the boy's special day out.

"The Chinese dream can only be realized if everybody's dream comes true," Huang said.

Muscular dystrophy is a disease that leads to loss of strength, the loss of muscles and disability. Junyi can only move by crawling.

His mother, Chen Qingmei, said: "He has dreamed of becoming a policeman since he was a child. I am very grateful for everything people did for him."

Both Junyi's parents are migrant workers on low incomes. The family's monthly income is about 5,000 yuan ($830) and it can hardly make ends meet as it has spent 600,000 yuan on treatment for the boy's disease.

Junyi's teacher, He Jianjun, said, "Although he has the disease, he studies hard and makes every effort to finish his homework."

The story spread widely on the Internet, with people in China and overseas hoping to help the boy.

Chen said, "A Chinese woman surnamed Wang, who is living in Japan, called me and said she wanted to help us.

"With the help of so many people and society, I believe Junyi will recover and realize his dream of becoming a policeman."

In November, residents of San Francisco arranged a similar event for a 5-year-old boy fighting cancer, helping him to become a Batman-like "Bat Kid" for the day.

Zou Junyi (left, in wheelchair), who has muscular dystrophy, realized his dream of becoming a police officer in a drill staged by police and volunteers in Xinyu, Jiangxi province, on Saturday. Ao Weibing / for China Daily

(China Daily 01/13/2014 page5)